novelraw Chapter 66: You Call That Research!?
Chapter 66: You Call That Research!?
The reason Tang Yao was with Si Jinliang was mainly to negotiate the purchase of servers and computers.
After parting ways with Kang Ming, she’d first used an old, dormant social media account to release Fate/Zero Chapter 2, then rushed straight to find Si Jinliang and explain what she was after.
The whole process wasn’t complicated—But it did take quite a bit of time.
In the end—
Si Jinliang tried to talk Tang Yao out of it for quite a while. But when he saw she still hadn’t changed her mind, he finally sold her his company’s servers.
And not just that—he also sold her four computers… and one drawing tablet with a screen.
The price was very fair.
But just as they were signing the contract, a little side story played out.
“Mm... Do you think she’s going to regret it?”
Tang Yao looked at the familiar account and comic on his phone screen, unsure what to say. So she just nodded and gave a half-hearted response. “You don’t get it... You’re exactly like how I used to be.”
Si Jinliang saw her indifferent expression and seemed to think of his younger self. His face turned pensive as he sighed and walked away:“Get someone who knows what they’re doing to handle the server transfer. If you need help with the computers, ask someone from Ops—they don’t have much to do anyway… The best machines are with the 3D and animation teams. The drawing tablet’s there too.”
“…”
Tang Yao watched him go, her expression a little strange.
What’s his deal? Is he seriously tying all this back to manga?Is this... fate or something?
Whatever.
She couldn’t be bothered to think about it—at least it wasn’t a bad thing.
She’d definitely come to the right place.
She turned and happily went to find Kang Ming to help move the computers.
The two of them quickly carried everything back.
After Kang Ming checked all the machines, he looked up and said,“They’re great. No issues at all.”
“Mm.”Tang Yao didn’t look up. She was examining the software left behind by Mingyu Tech’s previous staff.
“Then can I trouble you to handle the server handoff with Si Jinliang?”“Sure.”
Kang Ming nodded and headed out again.
Tang Yao sat down and started exploring the art software used in this world.
To be honest—
Compared to being an editor, she was much more skilled in this area.
But the world was different, and so was the tech tree. The software had differences too, so she needed time to get familiar with it.
As for Miss Li using her connections to help push Fate/Zero Chapter 2, of course Tang Yao knew about it.But instead of rushing to thank her, she figured—
Nothing says “thank you” like making her money back.
As for that invitation from Rumi-sensei, or the comments from some silly fans saying it was a shame?
She cared even less.
Fate/Zero didn’t even count as a “real” manga… What’s there to feel bad about?As long as the game reached expectations, it was all worth it.
Right now, her brain was entirely focused on the game.
“Interesting… So this is how the software here works?”
Her slender, fair fingers tapped the keyboard as her face lit up with interest. Originally, she had meant to check if Kang Ming needed help—but for now, she pushed that thought aside. She grabbed the newly purchased drawing tablet and hooked it up, setting it on its stand.
The so-called “drawing tablet” was actually a combo LED monitor and pressure-sensitive pen pad.
Not much different from what she used in her previous life.
So convenient—Mingyu Tech.
Everything was right there. No need to order, no need to wait—just walk in and grab what you need.
Tang Yao sighed in admiration again, then picked up the stylus to give it a try…Time to see if she still had the skills.
Kang Ming was gone for a while—about an hour or so. When he finally came back in, he immediately burst out:
“Tang Yao! Rumi-sensei invited—”
Clearly, he had seen Fate/Zero Chapter 2 and learned about the famous Rumi-sensei’s invitation to Tang Yao.
But before he could finish his sentence, he saw her looking serious, slightly frowning, seemingly deep in thought.
He cut himself off abruptly.
“What’s wrong?”Tang Yao still heard his voice. She looked up, pausing her exploration, and asked.
Kang Ming was silent for a moment, then shook his head:“Nothing. The server’s fine. I’m going to set up the environment and get the backend workflow organized... You keep doing your thing.”
Looking at her like that...
He had a pretty good guess what she was thinking about.
Right now, Tang Yao was under enormous pressure!
That was Rumi-sensei, after all! That was the highest-selling manga magazine!
Even though she’d turned it down—
Readers were commenting below the post trying to persuade her, saying it was a shame.She was probably hesitating now...
“Alright. Thanks again. Let me know if you need anything—I’m going to do some research.”
Tang Yao nodded and went back to her work.
Research?
Kang Ming quietly pulled up a chair and sat down, glancing at the focused Tang Yao.He made up his mind—if she wanted to go back to drawing manga, he’d act natural about it.
Don’t give her any pressure.
But before that...Let’s just get everything done first.
Until there was a definite outcome, he had to keep things low-key.
Kang Ming looked at the computers they’d just moved in, gave his head a little shake, and got to work.
Meanwhile, Tang Yao picked up the stylus again and continued drawing. She occasionally tapped at the keyboard, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.
Time passed slowly.
Each of them focused on their own tasks.
Kang Ming kept his head down setting up the environment. He went back and forth between the server room and the workstations a few times. He even adjusted two of the other computers... but he never disturbed Tang Yao.
Eventually, evening came—seven o’clock.
Tang Yao finally looked up, a radiant smile on her face, and suddenly called out:
“Kang Ming.” “…You’ve made your decision?”Kang Ming looked up, took a deep breath, and braced himself.
“Huh? What decision?”
Tang Yao gave him a puzzled look.“Come over here and take a look—what do you think of this?”
“????”
Kang Ming was stunned, clearly not following.
Tang Yao tilted her head, even more confused:“What’s wrong?”
Is he trying to tell me what the readers are saying?
Kang Ming hesitated, then stood up and walked over to her.
But instead of seeing a social media page on her screen, he saw—A 3D software interface? No… wait, it looked more like animation software?
In the middle of the screen was a poised and graceful woman in a flowing battle dress, holding an invisible sword, locked in a standoff.
“Take a look.”
Tang Yao gently pressed the spacebar.
The camera zoomed in sharply. The elegant woman in the battle dress started to move.
She raised her empty hands slightly, and spiraling wind effects rose above her palms.
Her flowing skirt swayed as she moved.
The animation was short. The frame rate wasn’t super high—more like a dynamic CG—but it felt smooth and immersive...That feeling of tension and power was palpable.
Kang Ming instantly recognized who this was—Because he’d just read Fate/Zero Chapter 2.
In fact, this exact moment was burned into his memory.
Wasn’t this the ending scene of Chapter 2!?
Kang Ming stood there, dumbstruck.
“What do you think?”Tang Yao turned to him.“I found the software on one of the art team’s computers—forgot what it’s called. Doesn’t matter. It’s a 2D animation program. Pretty easy to use. I tested it a bit and hand-keyed a few dozen frames of motion and deformation. Oh, and I figured out how to add some effects. Not bad, right?”
“…”
Kang Ming turned to look at her, dazed.
Then said:
“You call this research!?”